ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Department of Food & Public Distribution and its PSUs/Attached/Sub-ordinate Offices conducts activities under Special Campaign 3.0
The Department of Food & Public Distribution, Government of India has been conducting the Special Campaign 3.O on Swachhata & disposal of pending matters within the Department and also with its attached offices i.e. FCI, CWC, WDRA, NSI, and IGMRI located in various parts of the country. It started with a preparatory phase from 15th of September, 2023 to identify targets to be taken up for cleaning during the campaign period. Implementation Phase started from 2nd Oct. 2023 and will last up to 31st Oct. 2023.
Since beginning of the preparatory phase of the Special campaign 3.O, the Department along with its attached offices has identified 1256 Cleanliness sites across the country. During the review meetings, Secretary DFPD discussed the progress of activities undertaken for the Campaign and sensitized all Sr. Officers of DFPD and its attached offices to put their best efforts into achieving the target during the campaign period. Secretary DFPD also administered a Swachhata pledge to all officials of this Department to stop using single-use plastic and create garbage-free India. Joint Secretary has inspected all the identified cleanliness sites in the office premises and requested all the officers/officials of the Department to put their best efforts to ensure visible cleanliness in the office premises. Daily progress is being monitored by dedicated Nodal Officers and uploaded on the SCPDM portal hosted by DARPG. All the PSUs/Attached/Sub-ordinate Offices are enthusiastically participating in the campaign and celebrating it as a cleanliness festival.
So far great success has been achieved in identifying the targets. This year remarkable space is anticipated to be freed after the disposal of scrap and an appropriate amount will be earned. 1,94,542 physical records/files have been identified for review as per the record retention schedule during the Implementation Phase. Efforts will be made to dispose of all pending references from PMO/MP/State Governments/IMC and Public Grievances and Parliament Assurances. The scrap material and redundant items identified during the preparatory phase will be disposed of as per the prescribed procedure in GFR. More than 292 Tweets have been posted on X  by the official social media handle of this Department and its associated organization to promote awareness of the campaign. The campaign is in full swing to achieve the targets set by this Department for the period.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
India may become a developed nation before 2047- Hardeep Puri
Presented appointment letters to 151 new appointees at Rozgar Mela

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs Sh. Hardeep Singh Puri said that keeping in view the present economic growth rate of India, the nation may become a developed nation even before the target year of 2047.
He said India which was the 10th largest economy in the world in the year 2014 has now achieved 5th position with an economy of 3.8 trillion dollars. Explaining further he said in the last financial year our economy has grew by 7.2 per cent and if the growth rate continues in this manner, it would not be a big deal that India would move from fifth largest economy in the world to fourth or third largest economy in a short period of time. He said our different sectors of economy are doing well. This is a sign of a country which has not only matured but I believe would become a developed country before 2047.
Sh. Puri was in Kapurthala, today, to hand over appointment letters to 151 new appointees, including 25 women, in government sector during the Rozgar Mela held at the Pushpa Gujral Science City. He personally handed over appointment letters to 25 new appointees and called upon all to work for Nation building.
This was the 6th Rozgar Mela in the series of such fairs in which about 4 lakh appointment letters, till date, had been given to new appointees in the country to fulfil Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi’s resolve to give 10 lakh government jobs in a year. Today, over 70,000 appointment letters were distributed to new appointees across India.
Congratulating the new appointees here Sh. Hardeep Singh Puri said that the true beneficiaries of the Amrit Kal would be those entering the job market now. Talking about Start Ups started by youngsters he said the youngsters are entering the job market not just to get jobs but also to provide jobs, which is a very positive sign. He also spoke about various financial inclusion schemes of Government of India doing well to increase the economic growth of the nation.
Ministry of Education
Yoga Education
The Ministry had constituted a Committee under the Chairpersonship of Prof. H.R. Nagendra on 15th January, 2016 for making recommendations on Yoga Education in Universities. The Committee submitted its report in April, 2016 and prescribed curriculum for Yoga courses in its recommendations.
The University Grants Commission  has informed that it has recognized the studies in Yoga at Graduation and Post Graduation levels. The UGC has also introduced Yoga as a new National Eligibility Test  subject from January, 2017 UGC-NET onwards.
Further, as per All India Survey on Higher Education  Portal 2019-20, 131 Universities are offering Yoga related courses.
The information was given by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Subhas Sarkar in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
177.79 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
India's Active caseload currently stands at 85,680
Active cases stand at 0.20%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.60%
14,123 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,23,38,673
7,554 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
76.91 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 7,84,059 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Special Service and Features
Appeal to rail users to follow COVID appropriate behaviour for safe travel
To cater to travel needs of common man, Southern Railway is running Special trains to important destinations across the country. Presently, in addition to operating over 75% reserved Mail/Express special trains, Southern Railway also runs EMUs/MEMUs in its Chennai suburban network. The ongoing second COVID wave poses challenges with cases spiralling all over the nation since March 2021 and the country is fast pacing COVID vaccination for all eligible citizens.
Southern Railway appeals to rail users to follow COVID appropriate behaviour for safe journey:
- The basic COVID precautionary measures such as wearing masks, social distancing and hand hygiene must be continued to be followed at railway stations and trains.
- Unnecessary travel and travelling in groups may be avoided.
- Maintain social distancing at counters and Platforms.
- Refrain from travelling if you experience any of the COVID symptoms such as Fever, cough, cold, etc.
- Refrain from travel if you are awaiting COVID test results or advised to be in isolation/quarantine or if tested positive for the virus.
- Food, water and COVID safety kits such has hand sanitizer/ soap may be carried during travel.
- Please do not indulge in spitting or any other activity which may create unclean or unhygienic conditions that affect public health and safety in railway stations and trains.
- Apart from the guidelines of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Ministry of Home Affairs, every State Government has mandated a set of COVID safety protocols for persons coming from other states such as e-registration/e-pass, testing and quarantine. The same must be strictly adhered to while travelling and relevant documents to be produced to railway authorities on demand.
- Please render your cooperation for the measures undertaken by Railways and civic authorities in preventing the spread of Coronavirus.
This is stated in a press release issued by Shri.B.Guganesan, Chief Public Relations Officer, Southern Railway, Chennai.
Cabinet
Cabinet gives ex-post facto approval to the MoU between India and the United Arab Emirates in the field of providing Energy Efficiency Services
Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to the Memorandum of Understanding  between the National Productivity Council, an autonomous body under the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, and Al Etihad Energy Services UAE, to provide various services in the field of energy management and conservation.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
ABU Robocon 2022 comes to New Delhi
Doordarshan to host International Finals
In what is being seen as recognition of India’s marvels in the field of Technology, Doordarshan will be hosting the international finals of Robocon 2022 in August next year. The Robot competition, which is organised by Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union and hosted by different member countries every year, will be held in New Delhi in 2022.
ABU Robocon 2021 was hosted by China wherein the international Robocon contest was held on December 12, 2021. Teams from Nirma University and Gujarat Technological University , Ahmedabad, who were the India finalists, participated in the international contest from India.
Prasar Bharati Board Member Shaina NC graced the occasion and addressed the participating engineering students of Nirma University and Gujarat Technological University in Ahmedabad. She appealed to all engineering students, specially the girls, to participate in next year’s Robocon to be hosted by Doordarshan.
On behalf of Prasar Bharati, Board member Shaina NC received the ABU Robocon Flag from Shandong Radio & TV Station China, to host ABU Robocon 2022 international contest in New Delhi in August 2022.
A two-day event is being organized on 15-16 December, 2021, as a curtain raiser to DD Robocon 2022, wherein DD Robocon 2022 will be introduced, feedback and suggestions on previous Robocon competitions will be shared, experts will share their opinion, and interactive sessions will be organised with the participating teams. The theme of DD Robocon 2022 will be Lagori and the competition method will be Preliminary League and Final Tournament. Know more in the videos below.
Prasar Bharati has created a page on its website for more information related to DD Robocon 2022. You can visit the page here - https://newsonair.com/robocon2022/
Started by Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union  in 2002, ABU Robocon pits Robots against each other in completion of a task in a given period of time. According to ABU Robocon, the contest aims to create friendship among young people with similar interests who will lead their countries in the 21st century, as well as help advance engineering and broadcasting technologies in the region.
Find below Minute-to-minute details of Curtain Raiser to DD Robocon 2022.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Australia on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given ex-post facto approval to the Memorandum of Understanding  between India and Australia on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime.
The proposed MoU would strengthen the relationship between India and Australia for building peace and stability in the region through exchange of information, expertise, experience and capacity building.
The MoU is an effective framework to deal with all issues requiring interaction and cooperation in the areas identified.
The mutual cooperation would facilitate the institutional interactions between the two countries. The MoU, once in force, would help in curbing combating International Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime.
Ministry of Mines
MECL signs MoU with DMG, Goa
To pave the way for state of Goa to improve mineral exploration
MECL to assess mineral resources by conducting geo-scientific exploration and establish state’s mineral inventory
Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited  a premier notified mineral exploration agency under the aegis of Ministry of Mines, Govt. of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding  with Directorate of Mines & Geology , Government of Goa, offering integrated mineral exploration and consultancy services today at New Delhi.
With the signing of MoU, MECL will assess mineral resources by conducting an array of geo-scientific exploration and will finalise the mineral blocks to be auctioned and establish the state’s mineral inventory.
The recent amendments to the MMDR Amendment Act 2021, Mineral  Second Amendment Rules, 2021 and Minerals  Amendment Rules will further pave the way for states to fast track the auction process of their mineral acreages, thus making role of DMG, Government of Goa pivotal in the process of assessment and allocation of their mineral acreages.
The signatory to the MoU were Dr. Ranjit Rath, CMD, MECL and Shri Vivek H. P, Director, DMG, Goa in the august presence of Shri Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Parimal Rai, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Goa, Shri Satendra Singh, Joint Secretary to Govt. of India, Ministry of Mines and other senior officials of Govt. of India and Govt. of Goa.
The State of Goa has been bestowed with large deposits of Iron Ore  as well as significant occurrence of other major minerals like Bauxite  and Manganese Ore . Iron Ore mining in the state hugely contributes to the regional income and employment in the state. Goa also has an intrinsic logistic environment for export of minerals due to availability of ports near the mining site.
AYUSH
Surya Namaskar: one crore to be part of first ever global demonstration on Makar Sankranti
On the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti and during the celebrations of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Ministry of AYUSH is hosting the first-ever global Surya Namaskar demonstration programme where about 10 million people will participate. On this occasion, Minister of Ayush Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, will address the people and give his message on Surya Namaskar and thereafter, MoS for Ayush Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai will share his thoughts about the event.
Keeping in view the recent upsurge of corona cases, the Ayush Ministry has advised to do 'Surya Namaskar' from home and upload videos on the links used for registration.
From 7:00 am to 7:30 am 13 rounds of Live Surya Namaskar will be conducted on DD National. During the programme, leading Yoga masters and gurus from global institutions will also share their messages. Secretary, Ministry of Ayush Shri Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha and Director, MDNIY Dr. I. V. Basavaraddi will also address the event.
Ministry of Railways
Passenger Amenities and Cleanliness in Trains and Toilets
Provision of adequate passenger amenities and cleanliness is a continuous process and every endeavour is made to keep the coaches including toilets in a clean condition. However, few complaints regarding cleanliness in coaches and foul smell from toilets are received from time to time. Foul smell in bio-toilets is generally due to improper use by passengers. For this, corrective measures are being taken.
All efforts are made by Indian Railways  to address the complaints enroute and during coaching depot maintenance.
Several initiatives have been taken by IR towards improvement of cleanliness in coaches, including sleeper class coaches. Some of them are listed below:
- Cleaning of coaches including toilets of trains at both ends including mechanized cleaning.
- On Board Housekeeping Service  has been provided in more than 1000 pairs of trains including Rajdhani, Shatabdi and other important long distance Mail/Express trains for cleaning of coach toilets, doorways, aisles and passenger compartments during the run of the trains.
- In ‘Clean My Coach’ scheme, for any cleaning requirement in the coach in trains having OBHS service, passenger can send a message through mobile  on a specified mobile number. Alternatively, passenger can also use an android app or webpage for logging the request.
- ‘Clean My Coach’ service is now being upgraded to ‘Coach Mitra’ facility which is a single window interface to register coach related requirements of passengers such as cleaning, disinfection, linen, train lighting, air conditioning and watering of coaches. ‘Coach Mitra’ facility has been introduced in about 900 pairs of trains.
- Clean Train Station  scheme has also been prescribed for limited mechanized cleaning attention to identified trains including cleaning of toilets during their scheduled stoppages enroute at nominated stations.
- Provision for dustbins is also being made in sleeper class coaches of trains in addition to Air Conditioned Coaches.
- Provision of mugs with chains has also been made in toilets of sleeper class coaches.
- Steps are being taken to improve ventilation in bio-toilets and provide dustbin inside toilets. Awareness is being created for proper use of bio-toilets.
- A third party survey for assessment of cleanliness of 210 important trains is presently being carried out.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Railways
Statement by Minister of Railways, Shri Piyush Goyal on Kushinagar Accident
Ministry of Railways announces Ex gratia amount to Kushinagar victims
An unfortunate accident on unmanned level crossing  between Tamkuhi Road and Dudahi station was reported at 06:45 AM today i.e. 26.04.2018. 13 school children unfortunately lost their lives and 7 injured children were taken to Padrauna Civil Hospital. Administrative inquiry has been ordered into the accident.
Following is the text of Union Minister of Railways & Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal on the Khushinagar accident:-
“I am deeply anguished and pained by the loss of lives of young school children at an unmanned level crossing  in Kushinagar, UP. My thoughts are with families of the deceased and I pray for the early recovery of the injured.
Ministry of Railways will provide an ex gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh for kin of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh for those with serious injuries and Rs 50,000 for those with simple injuries.
I have ordered a senior level enquiry into the incident.
We stand committed to take all possible steps to avoid such accidents in future”.
Following are the Helpline numbers for Khushinagar Accident:-
1-Commercial Control Varanasi - 05422224742 ,
2-Station Supdt./Siwan - 09771443944 ,
3-Station Supdt./ Kaptanganj- 9559715398 ,
4-Station Supdt./Deoria Sadar - 9794843924 ,
5-Station Supdt./Padrauna - 9838784742
Election Commission
Biennial Elections to the Maharashtra Legislative Council from six Local Authorities Constituencies and bye election to Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council from Chittoor Local Authorities’ Constituency-reg
The Commission has decided to hold Biennial Election to the Maharashtra Legislative Council from said Local Authorities Constituencies and a bye election to Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council from Chittoor Local Authorities’ Constituency, in accordance with the following programme: -
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Events
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Days and Dates
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1
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Issue of Notifications
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:
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26th April, 2018 
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2
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Last date of making nominations
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:
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3rd May, 2018 
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3
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Scrutiny of nominations
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4th May, 2018 )
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4
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Last date for withdrawal of candidatures
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:
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7th May, 2018 
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5
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Date of poll
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:
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21st May, 2018 
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6
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Hours of poll
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8.00 A.M. to 4.00 P.M
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7
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Counting of Votes
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24th May, 2018 
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8
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Date before which election shall be completed
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:
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29th May, 2018 
The term of office of six  members of the Maharashtra Legislative Council from six  Local Authorities’ Constituencies is due to expire on 31st May, 2018 and 21st June, 2018 as per details given below:
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S.No
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Name of the Member
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Name of Local Authorities’ Constituency
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Date of Retirement
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1.
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Anil Dattatrey Tatkare
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Raigad-cum-Ratnagiri-cum-Sindhudurg
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31.05.2018
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2.
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Jadhav Jaywantrao Pundlikrao
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Nashik
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21.06.2018
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3.
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Bhangdiya Mitesh Gotulal
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Wardha-cum-Chandrapur-cum-Gadchiroli
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4.
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Abdullah Khan A. Latif Khan Durrani
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Parbhani-cum-Hingoli
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5.
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Pravin Ramchandraji Pote
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Amravati
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6.
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Deshmukh Dileeprao Dagdojirao
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Osmanabad-cum-Latur-cum-Beed
A casual vacancy has occurred in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council. The details of the vacancy are given below:
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Sl. No.
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Name of Member
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Name of Constituency
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Date of Retirement
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Remarks
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1
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Gali Muddukrishnama Naidu
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Chittoor Local Authorities’ Constituency
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11.08.2021
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Death on
07.02.2018
The term of office of the members to be elected to the above Legislative Council from the said Local Authorities’ Constituencies shall be subject to the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in SLP No. 17123/2015 ;
5. The Model Code of Conduct will come into force with immediate effect. Please see the details in Commission’s website under link.
http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/current/MCC_26122016.pdf
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SBS/AC
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Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Shri Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurates the 16th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation  Youth Council in New Delhi today
The 16th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation  Youth Council was held in hybrid mode in New Delhi, under the chairship of the Republic of India today. The SCO Youth Council meeting was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sh. Anurag Singh Thakur. Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs, Ms. Meeta Rajivlochan welcomed the chief guest and all the delegates from the SCO Member States.
The meeting was chaired by Shri Nitesh Kumar Mishra, Joint Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs, Government of India. During the meeting, the parties shared information on the activities of the national parts of the SCO Youth Council in 2022-2023. The report on the SCO Youth Conference held in virtual mode on 13th March, 2023 on the theme "Effective Community Development Activities" was circulated for information to all SCO Member States.
The parties noted the high level of participation and the interest shown by the youth delegates of the SCO member states in the discussion held during the Conference. The parties also noted the promising enthusiasm shown by the youth delegates to engage in community development activities for the betterment of the society.
The parties highly appreciated the work of the national part of the SCO Youth Council from the Republic of India during this period and expressed gratitude to the Indian side for the hospitality and high level organisation of the SCO Youth Conference and SCO Youth Council meeting in New Delhi.
The Protocol was signed on 14th March, 2023 in the city of New Delhi in eight copies in the Russian and Chinese languages.
SCO is a permanent intergovernmental organization which was established in 2001. SCO has eight member States viz India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India became a full member of SCO on 9th June, 2017. There are four Observer States viz Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia. The official working languages of SCO are Chinese and Russian.